In a season where Oklahoma State is carefully managing reps for its regulars, Eric Morris has found a way to make sure the younger players still get real work.
The Cowboys have trimmed practice for the veterans to cut down on physical wear and reduce injury risk, but Morris said Tuesday that he has kept one old-school habit alive: Thursday scrimmages for the freshmen and sophomores who are mostly buried off the two-deep.
Those sessions put the young players against each other, giving them live work at a time when there are only so many reps available. It also gives Morris and his staff a chance to keep shaping them instead of letting their development stall.
“I totally believe in it because I think we have a lot of good young players that need to play football right now, and they need to tackle, and they need to block, and they need to see live action,” Morris said.
That approach fits the roster Morris built. He assembled an experienced team on purpose, aiming to win quickly and help restore a culture of winning after the Cowboys went a combined 4-20 over the past two seasons.
He still brought in freshmen and transfers with limited experience, but the two-deep tells the story: there isn’t a true freshman or redshirt freshman on offense or defense. The only freshman with multiple appearances is tackle Ja’Qwon Evans, who has played as a backup because of depth concerns.
The Thursday work is part development, part message. It keeps the younger players engaged and lets the staff show them they’re invested in their growth, something Morris has said matters in an era when players can transfer every year if they want. He has made no secret of his belief in development and retention.
“It's been a ton of fun, kind of to watch those young guys go out there and compete, and we try to end it with some competition every week, and change that up a little bit, just to let the guys have a little bit of fun,” Morris said.
Morris said the biggest strides have come from the offensive line and the secondaries. He also highlighted safety Braeden Pressley, the younger brother of former OSU wide receiver Brennan Presley and current kickoff returner Braylin Presley, along with freshman cornerback Marrel Davis III, who has made significant progress.
On offense, KD Jones has become one of the names to watch in those scrimmages. The Jenks, Okla., standout hasn’t played since the Murray State game, but he has been a standout in the Thursday sessions. With Caleb Hawkins excelling as the starter and experienced backups in place, Jones is waiting for his next chance while learning the system.
“He’s somebody that continues to get better,” Morris said. “As his knowledge of the offense grows, his eyes are in the right place and he’s doing some good stuff.”
The Cowboys may not be showing that future on Saturdays just yet, but Morris says it’s there. Every Thursday in Stillwater, the young players get their stage.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State's Recruiting Surge Just Picked Up Another Intriguing Sign
Stillwater linebacker Bryson Brown added another local name to Oklahoma States growing recruiting momentum, giving the Cowboys a defender with a hometown connection and a bit of late-cycle intrigue. Browns commitment also fits the broader pattern of Oklahoma State building early buzz on the defensive side, as the program continues to stack pieces for its next class.
Browns decision is notable because it comes after a recruiting path that had already taken him elsewhere, and because the timing lines up with a shifting landscape for both programs. Baylors coaching change opened the door for movement, while Oklahoma States strong start under Eric Morris has helped make Stillwater look like an increasingly appealing destination for defensive prospects. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Faces A Telling Test Iowa State Could Expose
Oklahoma State heads to Jack Trice Stadium on Oct. 31 with a ranking next to its name and plenty of numbers that make the matchup with Iowa State look intriguing on paper. The Cowboys offense has been one of the nations most productive, and the comparison with the Cyclones is the kind of deep dive that can tell you more about a team than the record ever will, especially when the conversation turns to yards per game, turnovers and special teams.
Iowa State also brings enough balance to make this more than just a test of firepower, because its defensive profile and overall efficiency can stress a ranked opponent in ways that box scores do not always show. For Oklahoma State, the real question is whether its offensive edge travels well enough to hold up in a road game where every hidden yard, every possession and every special teams snap could swing the night. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Still Has A Real Big 12 Path If One Thing Breaks Right
The Big 12 race still has a few twists left, and Oklahoma State is hanging around long enough to keep the conversation going. With Utah, Arizona, BYU, the Cowboys and Texas Tech all jockeying for Arlington, the remaining schedules matter almost as much as the standings themselves, and Oklahoma States position is more encouraging than it might have looked a few weeks ago. The title picture is crowded, but there is still a believable route for the Cowboys if the right results fall their way.
What makes it interesting for Oklahoma State is how much of the leagues math is tied to a handful of games that could reshape the bracket in a hurry. The Cowboys need help elsewhere, of course, but they also have a chance to control their own part of the equation in the coming stretch, with one matchup looming larger than the rest as a potential separator in the chase for the conference championship game. If that one breaks in OSUs favor, the rest of the path starts to look a lot clearer. [Read more 🡒]